Count down to big events

stats of the week: run 37 km
stats of the week before: run 43 km, gym 2 h

To prepare for a high level hiking holiday in Nepal I started some artificial altitude training. In my small home town is a fitness hall available that simulates an altitude of 2,000 m.a.s.l. where you can do endurance and strength exercise.

However, before the hiking comes the marathon. In a desperate thought of final preparation I took part in a local hill race of 23 K and 500 altitude meters. That turned out to be fine. I was able to run every ascent and finished in the middle of the pack.

Travelling is not the perfect way of preparation for a marathon but luckily I managed to do some running around watching the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington. It is a big event with some 20,000 finishers, also called the People's Marathon, as there are no high prize moneys.

Count down is now clocking to my 11th New York City Marathon on Sunday.

Failed preparation

stats of the week: run 15 km, gym 3 h
stats of the week before: gym 1 h
stats of the week before: run 25 km, cycled 260 km

Had a decent week of training with glorious weather on Majorca.

Col des Reis

Climbing Sa Calobra Road

However, this didn't help me a lot as I came back home with a stomach infection that struck me down for nearly a week. Trying to jog again I obviously had lost too many minerals during this week. My left calf muscle cramped after only 4 km of very easy jogging and it stayed tight for another 3 days. 

Now time gets short to get prepared for the New York City Marathon. Only 3 weeks left and no long jog completed so far. I think about adapted tactics. Some walking right from the beginning may let me get through the 26 miles.